Canadian Red Cross Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

The Holiday season is a blissful and fun time of year, but it can also be extremely taxing.

You have to get presents for everyone, call your friends and write greeting cards to family members and co-workers, not to mention cooking, traveling and other enjoyable but still pretty stressful activities.


The Canadian Red Cross has issued a list of tips and advice intended to help families and individuals in Canada enjoy the holiday season better by shaking off its stressful effects or avoiding them altogether.


This publication comes as part of their seasonal Red Cross First Aid and CPR preparation program. If you’re wondering at the connection, suffice to say that accident prevention is far more easy to achieve than damage control when an accident has already happened. After all, driving while stressed in the typical Canadian winter is more than a bit hazardous. A stressed person is not only unhappy, but also not exactly safe.


So relax and read on about the ways to reduce Holiday Stress

Eat healthy.

Yes, the dining part of Christmas and New Year is traditional, but the more unhealthy the food is, the more stress it puts on our system. Balance healthy food with moderate drinking, and you will enjoy the holidays all the more.

Rest a lot.

The surest way to destress is just relax. Take the time to get extra sleep and simply take time to yourself between your engagements. That way you will have more energy to spare for all the enjoyment. Read a book, watch a movie, or just go for a sauna visit.

Prioritize.

This one connects to the previous point. There’s only so much you can put on your plate. Don’t try to be everywhere at once. Allow yourself more time and energy to enjoy the things you decide to do, and leave something for next year.

Finally and most importantly, spend time with your loved ones. The support we are capable of providing each other cannot be underestimated. It is, after all, why a Red Cross CPR course is so important. So we can be there for them in a time of need.


We cannot stress this enough. Our family is what makes us happy. Be there for them and allow them to be there for you, all the time.

And if you want to know more about the effects of, or wish to hear about the Red Cross CPR course we have, let us know. We’re here for you, so you can be there for others.


Happy Holidays!

Are you prepared to respond in a Cardiac Emergency?

When life throws an emergency at you, it is always by surprise.   One moment everything is normal, but then suddenly you are short of breath. You begin to feel dizzy and then, a few moments later the ground escapes your grasp and you fall down. Or the same thing happens to a loved one, leaving you just as helpless and terrified.   Heart Attacks and What we Can do About Them   Such descriptions are what you hear from people who’d undergone acute myocardial infarction or a heart attack, as people commonly call it. Most of us are not healthcare professionals, so we are not familiar with all the ACC/AHA guidelines of cardiac event treating as doctors do.   However, there is a real chance for you to at some point in life really wish you knew the basic techniques to help saving the life of a loved one.   Why is First Aid and CPR Training so Important?  

  • Reading about it is not enough. Physically participating in a First aid CPR training program teaches you both theory and practice. You will get familiar with numerous types of commonly encountered emergency types and will be able to deal with all of them.
  • Besides learning about ways how to treat emergencies, upon completion of our First Aid and CPR training you will feel more confident when facing an emergency, which is no less important because in most emergency events – timing is critical.
  • As evidence shows, when emergency occurs, if there is somebody in the crowd proficient in CPR and first aid techniques – the chances of an emergency event victim to survive are twice better.
  • Getting to know all the risks and hazards during the first aid training changes your mode of behavior to a more rational and cautious one, leading to less risk taking in general.

  Understanding those risks and the benefits of having trained people around, many schools and other workplaces in Mississauga and other GTA cities encourage their employees to get their First Aid and CPR training. This is of course a policy we wholeheartedly embrace.   Whether you work at Credit Valley Hospital or St. Joseph’s High School, our first aid and cpr Mississauga can help you get the accreditation you need.   First aid and CPR is now More Accessible than Ever   We alone at Coast2Coast First Aid offer you a choice between multiple locations across the GTA. With our centres scattered in Mississauga, Brampton, North York and other convenient locations, it is perfectly simple to enroll and get your CPR and First Aid training now.   Just visit our site and get on board with the training you would like to get! Coast to Coast First Aid is here for you.

Knowing CPR Gives you the Confidence to Save Lives

First of all, it’s normal to be afraid when you get hit by a disaster.

People naturally feel comfortable in their routine non changing environments, but when an emergency occurs, we tend to get panicked. Panic by itself is a normal human “fight or flight” reaction and there is nothing wrong with it.

It can however lead to two harmful things:

  • It can prevent you from assisting to those in need during an emergency.
  • It can create unnecessary distraction to other people who want to help.

How Not to Panic in an Emergency?

Of course if you are trained in CPR and First Aid as a healthcare professional, you will be used to responding with calculated calm to an emergency. Or if you are a policeman or a firefighter, got some first aid training.

While there is some chance that during an emergency there might be a police officer or a trained paramedic nearby, this is still unlikely and you are probably going to have to wait for help to arrive after you call 911.

This is why many workplaces encourage or even demand their employees to get basic CPR and First Aid training. Places like Credit Valley Hospital, Trillium Health Partners, Pinewood Medical Centre and some high schools in the Mississauga and Brampton areas routinely direct their workers to get CPR training and certification.

One of the places to go for CPR training in Mississauga is our own Coast to Coast facility of course, covering all levels of proficiency and types of training.

Getting a CPR training course can make a real difference for someone’s life, giving you the tools and confidence needed to deal with an emergency.

How can CPR Training Help you Gain Confidence?

Knowledge is Everything. When you know what to do and how to do it, the emergency will be no longer a frightening mess for you, but rather a certain scheme you have to follow in order to gain the desired result.

Timing is Crucial. In addition to lack of knowledge, what terrifies people a lot is the limited time frame in which you can actually help a person during an emergency. CPR training will teach you not only how, but when to assist in case of an emergency, and to do it fast.

Repetition for Perfection. Your CPR certificate is valid for a limited time period (3 years). After it expires, you’ll have to perform an additional training session (though shorter). That way you will constantly strengthen your confidence, and gain new skills.

Where to Begin?

Right here! If you want to know more about our CPR and first aid courses, feel free to visit our website. We have first aid classes in Mississauga, Brampton and many other GTA locations.

With knowledge and confidence, we can all make a difference when it really matters and save someone’s life!

Register for CPR or First Aid Training

Register today for a CPR or First Aid training course at one of our locations across Ontario! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.
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It Is Never Too Late To Learn How To Swim!

Canada is an aquatic country. Besides two oceans, there are many rivers flowing through Canadian landscape as well as a multitude of lakes. Most of Canada’s bodies of water are OK for swimming, and Canadians indeed do love to swim, boat and raft in them.

Some facts you might have not known

  • During the first half of the 20th century, there was little public concern with regard to water safety.
  • Since the late 1940s, Red Cross had started to offer swimming lessons to the population, either as a standalone program or as a part of CPR courses.
  • Once it was clear that water safety is an important issue in a country that has a lot of water, Red Cross and other organizations incorporated the aspect of treating water related emergencies in their first aid programs separately.
  • A good example of such a program is our Toronto CPR training. If you google through relevant internet sites, you’ll find that CPR courses in Toronto area dedicate a whole section to treating emergencies involving water.

So why water safety is so important?

  • First, it is important to realize, that not everybody knows how to swim, and among those that do know how to swim, there are even fewer that had participated in CPR courses and know how to deal with a water related emergency.
  • Another thing that must be said is that it is better to start late than not at all. There are swimming programs available for all ages and levels of proficiency.
  • Even if you don’t want to learn how to swim, it may be useful to know how to treat someone who’s drowning and has his or her lungs filled with water. That can happen to everybody, including your loved ones.
  • Emergencies are possible to deal with. For example, by doing as little as enrolling for a CPR training in Toronto, you can become proficient at dealing with a wide variety of emergency scenarios, including water related cases.

We interviewed several people that had completed our training and some of them told us that understanding the importance of water safety caused them to behave more cautiously, not only preparing for, but preventing water related accidents. They also understand how it is important to take a first aid course.

As you can see, understanding the importance of water safety is very important. Enroll now to make sure you are ready for the emergency when it strikes! Learn more by visiting our Coast2Coast website.

Register for CPR or First Aid Training

Register today for a CPR or First Aid training course at one of our locations across Ontario! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.
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What Should You Do to Handle a Medical Emergency?

what should you do to handle a medical emergency

When hit by a medical emergency, most people are caught unprepared and just panic or freeze.

That’s why we are glad you are reading this.

This article is in no way a substitute for a first aid and cpr training course, but it will give you an idea of what you can do, even if you are not trained in any specific procedures.

First and foremost, if you are not CPR / First Aid trained, or the situation is beyond your expertise – you should get qualified, professional help.

Here is the list of sources where that help can be obtained:

  • The Police
  • Fire Department
  • Poison Control Center
  • Local Hospital
  • Ambulance Service
  • Family Doctor

Keeping those numbers in your cellphone at all times and within reach is always a good idea, just in case.

Here are a few more ways to be prepared for a medical emergency:

Make a List of Medical Substances or Aides Your Family Takes

This list will be useful especially before traveling, to make sure you pack those medications to the trip with you. It will also serve as a good source of information when you need to give your family member a pill and they can’t speak to tell you what it’s called and where in the house you can find it. There is a whole plethora of conditions that require regular medication and when it’s really needed, it’s needed now.

Keep a Kit with First Aid Supplies

One at home and one in the car, as a matter of fact. Check them once or twice a year to make sure it’s well stacked and nothing in it had expired. Here’s a list of content for a basic first aid kit:

  • Aspirin / Acetaminophen / Ibuprofen
  • Antibiotic Ointment and Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Bandages, Cold packs, Latex Gloves
  • Rehydrating Fluids
  • Safety pins, Scissors, Tweezers
  • Soap, Hand Sanitizer
  • Antihistamine
  • Thermometer
  • Spare Chronic Medications

Learn CPR. This is among the most useful skills to obtain that you might need in an emergency. Not every emergency will need it, but those that do will likely be tight life or death situations. This is not an exaggeration by any means. That’s why our training program in Toronto is extremely popular. Click here to learn more.

In this video, we delve into the essential ABCs of first aid—Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. Understanding these foundational principles is crucial for anyone wanting to respond effectively in emergency situations. Whether you’re a healthcare professional or a concerned citizen, mastering these basics can make a critical difference in saving lives. Join us as we explore each step, providing valuable insights and practical tips for handling emergencies with confidence.

Now regardless what happened, you need to follow this set of emergency response rules:

Make Sure The Scene is Safe. You can’t administer assistance to someone who is still in direct danger, especially if you are putting yourself in yourself danger as well.

Determine the Problem. Different scenarios require different intervention. Identify the number of victims and their conditions. Ask bystanders for help.

Call for Help. Be prepared to answer questions regarding what you’d assessed in the step above, but also information about your location and other details, so make sure you know all that you could gather.

Direct Help. Don’t move anyone who may have a back or neck injury. Avoid causing harm by removing protruding objects – pulling a knife out of a wound may cause rapid bleeding. Check for breathing and pulse of anyone unconscious, and administer CPR if you are trained and there is a need. Having the right skills might make all the difference in saving a person’s life with your CPR training. Turn the patient over to professionals when they arrive.

And yes, joining our Coast2Coast training program can also help a great deal. Contact us now to get one and be there for someone in need!

Register for CPR or First Aid Training

Register today for a CPR or First Aid training course at one of our locations across Ontario! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.
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How to Deal With Heart Disease Through CPR Training?

Medical emergencies are never an easy thing to deal with, even if you are prepared. If you are caught unprepared and don’t know what to do or how to react, they can be a real nightmare.

People who do not have first aid CPR training tend to panic or freeze. It’s very understandable, and maybe even better than trying to help when you do not know how it’s done. The danger of causing more harm in this scenario is very real.

On the other hand, seeing someone you love – a family member or friend – suffer through a heart attack is one terrible experience, especially with the knowledge that without help, the chance of it resulting in death is significantly higher.

Some Basic Facts Concerning Heart Disease:

Occurrence Rates. According to the center of Disease and Control Prevention, 735,000 Americans suffer a heart attack every year. Consider this number – it is close to a Million. This also means that on average, a heart attack happens every 43 seconds. Many of them are lethal.

Contributing Risk Factors. Heart attacks risk is increased by high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and smoking. The number of Americans who have at least one of the three is a staggering 49%.

Additional Exacerbating Factors. There are contributors to heart disease and heart attacks. Alcohol abuse, diabetes, excess weight, a poor diet and lack of exercise are part of the list.

What You Can Do When Someone Has A Heart Attack?

Prevention is the best form of treatment. Before it even happens, you can take steps to push a person to change their life habits and reduce the risks of them having an attack to begin with. Treat yourself and your surroundings into a good shape, and you might never have to administer CPR on a loved one.

But if you do, you will be glad to have taken a first aid CPR training course. Reading about it online does help, but only so much. Being trained and actually able to administer this life-saving technique is very important.

What Does CPR Do?

In a heart attack, blood circulation to a person’s body is interrupted – or even stopped entirely – blocking the vital access of oxygen to a person’s brain and other organs. This compression technique you can be taught in a first aid CPR course allows you to artificially push blood through the person’s veins by mechanically constraining the heart via direct pressure to the chest. This is meant to give the person a steady supply of oxygen to the brain, and most importantly, a chance at survival.

It has more uses than with heart attacks, however, and is applicable to a multitude of hard emergency scenarios. What this course allows you to do is take charge of the emergency and help someone survive. Just being able to do it will give you focus and set panic aside, pulling other people in line and significantly reducing the danger of causing more harm.

Be there for someone in need by taking a first aid CPR course today!

What are the Basics of First Aid Training?

When people enroll to our first aid training Mississauga, the first thing they want to know, of course, is the content of the training program. We will answer this question by giving you an outline of the most important components of basic first aid training.

But before we do that, it’s also important to clarify that there is no one basic first aid training course that covers all possible scenarios and situations. The course you take should really depend on your situation, i.e. where and in what scenarios you might need to practice first aid. There are, for example, several specialized first aid programs, such as First Aid at Home, Workplace First Aid, Swimming & Water Safety, and more.

First aid situations vary, and so do first aid training courses. At the same time, there are two options for basic first aid training we offer that cover the essentials, and can make you generally prepared for a wide array of scenarios.

  1. Emergency First Aid CPR/AED

The Emergency Course is a basic must-have training on how to act in extreme situations, at least until the paramedic team arrives. It teaches CPR for home and workplace situations, and gives you the skills necessary to recognize, prevent and respond to different emergencies in adults.

This course covers topics such as

  • The Red Cross
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Check, Call, Care principle
  • Breathing and Circulation Emergencies
  • Respiratory and Cardiac Arrest
  • Wound Care Practices
  1. Standard First Aid CPR/AED

The Standard First Aid training is a more in-depth course that takes two days and provides additional knowledge on how to respond to a wider variety of first aid situations.

In addition to the topics covered in the first course, this one also gives information on:

  • Head and Spine Injuries
  • Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries
  • Sudden Medical Emergencies
  • Environmental Emergencies
  • Poisons

Both of those Mississauga first aid training courses grant a certificate which will be valid for three years.

As we mentioned above, there is much more to first aid than those two basic courses, which should come as no surprise as a paramedic’s training takes several years. If you expect to work in a high risk environment, such as construction, mountain tourism, sailing, or any other specialized field with its own set of highly specific dangers, it might be better to go farther and take a more in-depth course.

Still, our basic Mississauga first aid training courses are far, far better than nothing, which some of our students can testify to. When a co-worker, friend or loved one is suffering from cardiac arrest, head injury, or is otherwise facing grave danger, knowing the basic skills might already be enough to keep them alive. Not knowing those skills might leave them to face it alone.

If you are of the same opinion and agree that having those basic first aid skills is a must, call us now and enroll to our one, or two day programs.

We’re here for you to help you be there for others.

 

Register for CPR or First Aid Training

Register today for a CPR or First Aid training course at one of our locations across Ontario! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.
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Group Or Private Trainings

Did you know? Businesses, organizations, and groups are qualified for certain discounts for our Canadian Red Cross, WSIB approved First Aid and CPR programs. The minimum number of employees your need to qualify for this is as low as 4 individuals. We have several packages available to cater to your group needs, simply fill out a Group Training Request Form or Call us at 1-866-291-9121 to see how much you can save in training costs for your organization!

Register for CPR or First Aid Training

Register today for a CPR or First Aid training course at one of our locations across Ontario! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.
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Coast2Coast New Branches

 

We are very excited to announce two of our new branches are now up and running now: Mississauga and Etobicoke. We are ready to provide our top quality First Aid and CPR programs to these communities. Check out the Locations of our branches below:

 

Register for CPR or First Aid Training

Register today for a CPR or First Aid training course at one of our locations across Ontario! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.
Register Now